Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of the micro/nano structured biogenic silver doped calcium phosphate

Scale formation in PVC pipelines reduces the water flow efficiency and enhances microbial contamination. A bio-based composite material comprising of silver doped calcium phosphate (Cp-Ag) was synthesized using a simple technique (photo catalysis) and herein, we report for the first time on preparation and evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of silver doped calcite extracted from the scale in drinking water pipe lines. Five concentrations of silver doped calcite materials viz, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 ppm were prepared using chemical ammonia mediated synthetic method. The material Cp-Ag was characterized by using the techniques UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Thermo gravimetric analysis, X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer and X-ray flouresence microscopy (XRF). Typical rhombohedral structure of the silver doped calcite was observed. XRF and XPS studies confirmed the presence of both calcium and silver in the composite material (Cp-Ag). The silver doped calcite material exhibited enhanced inhibition against Escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus (Kirby-Bauer discs diffusion assay) which is also dependent on the concentration of the Cp-Ag material.